Bevin vetoes include driver’s licenses, preschool program

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP/WTVQ) – Republican Gov. Matt Bevin has vetoed all or parts of seven bills passed on the last day of the legislative session.

Bevin’s vetoes mean Kentucky will not have a new driver’s license that complies with federal security standards. Bevin had said he supported the new driver’s license but said he changed his mind after noticing what he called “tremendous opposition” to the bill.

His vetoes mean some Kentucky high school graduates will not have free community college tuition beginning in the fall. Instead, the program will start in 2017.

And Bevin’s vetoes mean some parents won’t be able to send their children to public preschool programs. The budget bill included language that expanded the program’s eligibility requirements. But Bevin vetoed it, saying the state could not afford to pay for it.

House Speaker Greg Stumbo released this statement after hearing the vetoes.

“The decision by Gov. Bevin to veto House Bill 626 will impact every high school student across Kentucky and their families because the students would have been able to attend college beginning this fall tuition-free and be ready to work upon graduation.  The veto also negated the $100 million bond issue for projects that would have been constructed throughout the commonwealth to train our workers, and the veto also took out a broader dual-credit program for our high school students going forward and performance-based funding for our universities.

“No forward-thinking governor would’ve acted in this way.  It is a sad and unfortunate day for all of Kentucky.” – House Speaker Greg Stumbo